It's now time for me to get down to the nitty gritty, something that I really wanted to avoid. However, something is rotten in the state of Texas. I mainly speak of the political system that is attempting to violate every aspect of human rights, whether your Gay, or Straight, this will affect you.

The purpose of my getting up on my soap box is the frightening House Bills 415 and 382. First off, I would like to especially thank a friend of mine, Attorney Katrina C. Rose, writer for the Texas Triangle, board member of the Gulf Coast Transgender Community, and member of the Texas Association for Transsexual Support, for bringing this to my attention.

HB 382 Author: Warren Chisum (Republican). Relating to placing a child in a foster home or adoptive home. Specifically stating "If the department or other state entity is the managing conservator of a child, the department or other state entity may not place the child in an adoptive home in which homosexual conduct occurs or is likely to occur". And section 2, subchapter B states "The department may not place a child in substitute care or allow a child to remain in substitute care with an individual or family if, after a reasonable investigation by the department, the department determines that homosexual conduct is occurring or is likely to occur in the home of the individual or family".

HB 415 Author: Robert Talton (Republican) Section 1, subchapter B, chapter 264 states "the department shall inquire of an applicant who is applying to serve as a foster parent or of a foster parent whose performance is being evaluated whether the applicant or foster parent is homosexual or bisexual". When cornered by a heterosexual Presbyterian minister, Susan Q. Bryan, he told her "I dont like you and I dont like your kind" (assuming that she was lesbian). When asked how he justified this bill, he stated that it was in the bible. Which one? According to him, the "Southern Baptist" Bible. Later, he locked himself into his office and told people that if they had something to say to write it down and slip it under the door (paranoid).

Are you seeing a pattern of Homophobia? I am. This will mean that they will investigate you if you want to be a foster parent or adopt. If the child involved in the case is a direct family member, and you are found to be Gay, Lesbian, or Bisexual, they will remove that child from you. When will this kind of Nazi behavior stop. I fear that this will open the doors to even tearing biological children away from their Gay or Lesbian parents. If you would like to view these documents yourself, you can access www.capital.state.tx.us which is the Texas Legislature Online. Click on "search by number" and access these two house bills, and it will take you right to them.

The Founding Fathers of this once great nation created the constitution to be the true laws of the people, Equal rights for all, not just white heterosexual Christians. Yet, Separation of church and state are violated everyday. "Love thy neighbor" and "judge not least ye be judged" have been thrown out the widow so that they can justify their bigotry and their desires to stand in the way of the freedom we have been guaranteed. Amending the amendments is the common practice of the social phobic politician who sets his own beliefs above the needs and desires of the people.

Whats next, tattoos on our arms and concentration camps? Hanging Pagans and public burnings at the stake? Allow HB 415 and 382 to pass, and it just might turn out that way. I am not Anti-Christian, I have said this before. However, I am deeply upset at the way this "Separation of Church and State" nation is allowing itself to be overrun with bible thumping "better than you, smarter than you and holier than thou" hate mongers who are attempting to enforce Christian martial law. I teach tolerance to so many people and expressly tell them all beliefs are to be understood and respected, but I cannot allow myself to remain silent when it comes to human rights. We have the ability to love whom we choose, we should have that right as well.

The Goddess has given us many gifts of individuality, and I thank her every day for it, for who are we do define "normal" in a world of many colors and languages. Should we allow ourselves to the victims of those who do not understand because they close themselves up from the world, then we will forever be without truth, justice, and equality. As a Gay Pagan, I feel that I must step forward and even sacrifice myself for the greater good. I ask that all, whether Gay or Straight, do the same. Let our voices be heard, let our love be felt, let or souls glow with the light of true justice. We are one race, the human race. I am not in this for my own purposes, but for all of my universal siblings. I am not in this for money, I am not ruled by financial gain. "A man who stands upon a pile of gold can remain impoverished if he lacks understanding".

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